Tag: Reading

When is it time to start working on reading skills?Right now. Reading begins with vocabulary, oral language, and talk. So talk with your child often. Talk and listen, share family stories, use new words, ask open-ended questions, be patient, and encourage word use.

People are getting more enlightened today with the help of literacy. Without literacy, we wouldn’t be able to shape meaning out of the world. That is why it is so important to continue fighting for the increase of literacy for everyone.

The many advantages of reading have been well-documented. From exposure to a wealth of knowledge, to enhanced language skills, to improved understanding of the world and its many cultures—books can expose a reader to important information that will benefit them for an entire lifetime.

While schools do a lot to promote and improve literacy skills in young readers, there is still a lot you can do at home to help your child succeed. Just because a child has learned to read doesn’t mean that he or she no longer appreciates, or wouldn’t benefit from, reading aloud with an adult.

School starting again means having more things to do: pack lunches, attend meetings, do homework, participate in after-school activities, and the list goes on. While getting back into the swing of the school year is exciting, the shift from summer to fall is overwhelming and often results in the loss of well-formed, closely-followed, summer habits…such as reading!

Children benefit when their parents take part, so become actively involved in all aspects of your child’s education. Introduce yourself to your child’s teacher early in the school year. An in-person introduction is best. A simple letter, e-mail, or note is second best.

During the summer break, children get to sleep in, watch movies, play outside with friends, and participate in all sorts of other activities. But well before that first school bell rings, parents need to take proactive measures to ensure that their elementary-aged children can hit the ground running and quickly adapt to the stress and routines of another school year.

Reading during the summer can be a bit of a battle. My kids want to chill out with devices or go swimming, and, while they like to read, it’s just not on the top of their to-do list now that school has dismissed for the summer.

I’ve had quite a few, some through formal mentorship programs, but most have happened organically with a friend or colleague I respect who shares their experience and advice with me and acts as a sounding board when I need it.

“Be like a duck,” actor Michael Caine once said. “Calm on the surface, but paddling like the dickens underneath.” That sounds a lot like CLiF: our small staff and team of volunteers and presenters always keep smiles on their faces while labelling and packing hundreds of books for giveaways each week, telling stories and giving away thousands of books at more than 500 events each year, and inspiring thousands of children to love reading and writing.